Odisha frames draft charges against suspended IPS officer

Bhubaneswar, Oct 19: Odisha government has framed draft charges against IPS officer Satish Gajbhiye, who has been placed under suspension for violation of human rights and police excess. "Gajbhiye, a 2002-batch IPS officer has been served the draft charge through the Director General of Police.

He has to respond to the charges within 30 days," Home Secretary Asit Kumar Tripathy said here today. Stating that the draft charges have been framed against Gajhbhiye as per the provision of All India Service Rule, Tripathy said, the state's action came after the Centre confirmed the IPS officer's suspension.

The former Kendrapara Superintendent of Police was asked to reply within 30 days as to why action should not be taken against him for alleged violation of human rights for brutal lathi charge on protestors by the police led by him, which could be seen on video footage of media, demanding immediate arrest of self-styled godman Sarathi Baba alias Santosh Raula in Kendrapara town.

Gajbhiye was placed under suspension on August 13, six days after the brutal police action against the locals in Kendrapara on August 7, Tripathy said.

PTI